City of Intellect: The Uses and Abuses of the University

by Nicholas B. Dirks

During his four years as the tenth Chancellor of Berkeley (2013–17), Nicholas B. Dirks was confronted by crises arguably more challenging than those faced by any other college administrator in the contemporary period. This thoughtfully candid book, emerging from deep reflection on his turbulent time in office, offers not just a gripping insider's account of the febrile politics of his time as Berkeley's leader, but also decades of nuanced reflection on the university's true meaning (at its best, to be an aspirational 'city of intellect'). Dirks wrestles with some of the most urgent questions with which educational leaders are presently having to including topics such as free speech and campus safe spaces, the humanities' contested future, and the real cost and value of liberal arts learning. His visionary intervention – part autobiography, part practical manifesto – is a passionate cri de cœur for structural changes in higher education that are both significant and profound.

Genres: Education, Politics

275 pages, Hardcover

Published February 1, 2024

Reviews

[Tej Dhawan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I, too, picked up this book upon a review and recommendation by Reid Hoffman in his "Long Reids" blog post. I enjoyed the book and its discussion of the university's legacy, centuries rather than decades old, and its struggle to evolve. As the author mentions in his acknowledgements, the book began as a memoir which is reflected in the way the pages progress. It shifts, midway, to the history of the university, and ends with instructive contemplation. I found the memoir portion segmented well across the author's CV, but a bit long. Had Reid Hoffman's blog not led me to a commitment to read the entire book, I very well might have abandoned it. HOWEVER, the author shifted to a Genealogy of the University about half-way through the book and captured my full attention. This part is beautifully told, with the full value of the author's experience in anthropology and administration. The final third of the book provided contemplative (not directive) instruction for university and college administrators, faculty, and trustees to withstand the onslaught of politics and social pressures on the university. The warnings are omnipresent in the book - the university will and must change, with or without the countering forces from seemingly the greatest opposers- faculty. And for all of their bluster, if American politicians truly care about the century of advances brought through higher education across America, then they must redefine their relationship with the university of tomorrow.------ So, why 4 stars? In my reflection of the book, I wish the book had begun with genealogy, progressed to memoir, and ended with the contemplative instruction.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was mentioned by a blogger I admire, and I was curious because it was written by a former chancellor of UC Berkeley. The blending of memoir and critical investigation of higher education is always a challenge, but I'm giving this one 4 stars because I found both the memoir and the insights on higher education fascinating. At least the author has separated the two functions of the book into parts of the book, so you can skip or skim if one part is of less interest that the other. I was interested in both, because being a former student at Berkeley, I can't help wanting to know what's going on there, and because the question of the future of higher education is of great concern to me both as a citizen and as a long-time observer of higher education.

I won't say I agree with everything the author has to say, but I agreed with a lot of it, and more to the point, I learned a lot. So I thank the author for giving us a view into his own experiences, as well as an extremely well-informed view of the future of the university as "City of Intellect."

[Bennett Slibeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the authors blending of memoir and discourse, especially in a relatively even handed approach to both his own success and shortcomings. I’d say this book effectively outlines some of the major contradictions at the heart of the university, but to me it fell a little short in demonstrating a clear path forward. Furthermore, I felt a little dissuaded by the frequency of references to Kerr, though I guess I should’ve known from the title that it was responding to earlier works. All in, an effective book, and one I enjoyed. An especially solid read for any incoming academics trying to understand both the nature of their relationship to the university and the university’s place in the world.